Hatchlings [silk ants]

Silkworm eggs start to hatch 10-14 days after the temperature reaches 22-25 degrees Celsius. They usually hatch only between dawn and noon each day. They are about 2.5mm long, black and covered in tiny hairs. They are known as “silk ants”.

As soon as they hatch they start moving around looking for food. We get them onto a fresh young mulberry leaf as soon as possible, using a technique called “brushing”.

Silk Ants are the first of five larval growth stages called “instars”.

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